Combination therapy development toolbox against antimicrobial resistance

COMBAT-AMR

Antibiotic combination treatment is an essential strategy to combat complex, antimicrobial resistant infections. Defining the optimal drug combination of antibiotics and the associated dosing schedules is complex and requires extensive preclinical development. To advance development and optimisation of antibiotic combination treatments, there is an urgent need for standardised methodologies.

Aim

This project aims to a create a standardised toolbox of experimental and computational methods specifically for designing antibiotic combination treatments.

Method

Using advanced experimental models, researchers will simulate human dosing schedules.  To predict the effect of combination treatments on pathogens, they will use computer simulations. The toolbox will enable researchers to design combination treatments that kill resistant bacteria. Also, these treatments will reduce the risk that antimicrobial resistance develops following treatment with combination antibiotics. The developed approach will be tested for clinically relevant antibiotic treatments to demonstrate their potential.

Expected results

The results of this project will be used to formulate a guidance document for drug developers and to establish guidelines for the use of combination treatments in clinical practice.